London, December 3 : Women get blues during winter and eat more as dark evenings and chilly temperatures prevent them from venturing outside, a survey has revealed.

According to the survey, almost twice as many women (28 per cent) as men (15 per cent) admitted seeking solace in stodgy meals and carb-heavy snacks since the clocks went back in October, the Daily Express reported.

A whopping 77 per cent of women as opposed to 64 per cent of men say the reduction in daylight negatively affects their eating habits.

Meanwhile, 37 per cent of women claimed shorter days were more likely to keep them inside, compared to 28 per cent of men, the survey by Anglian Home Improvements found.

Dr Rob Hicks, a medical journalist and GP, said most people feel down from time to time in winter and many suffer with seasonal affective disorder (Sad), a type of depression thought to be caused by a lack of daylight.

"This lack of daylight is believed to disturb the balance of chemicals in the brain and to upset the body's internal clock. The result is too much melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel tired and ready for sleep, and not enough serotonin, the hormone that helps us feel happy," the paper quoted Dr Hicks as saying.

"Spending as much time as possible exposed to daylight can help lift our mood. This can be achieved by being outdoors or when indoors being close to a window. If indoors, a room where plenty of daylight is available such as a conservatory is a very good option," he suggested. (ANI)